Polish team to scale 'Killer Mountain'

A Polish International Expedition team has planned to climb Nanga Parbat in winter for the first time after failing in previous four attempts, and would be precursor of the Visit Pakistan Year-2007.
The 12-member team intends to reach the Peak in between January 5 to 10, 2007, from the Hanns Schell Route on the Rupal Side of Nanga Parbat. "The conquest of world ninth highest (8125-meter) snow-capped peak, known 'Killer Mountain' in winter is challenge for the Polish expedition team," said the team leader Krzysztof Wielicki at a press conference here on Wednesday.
However, he was optimistic that the team would be successful in its mission keeping in view the vast experience of the team members comprising expert climbers of the high altitude, who have already scaled a number world peaks of above 6000 feet. It would be record if the Polish team succeeded in its attempt in the winter season.
Different Polish expeditions also tried in 1990, 1992,1996 and 1998 to climb Nanga Parbat but could not succeed.
Ministry of Tourism has recently announced to reduce the royalty fee by 5 percent for climbing the mountains above 6000 meters located in Pakistan. The concession has been granted by the government of Pakistan aimed at promoting Winter Tourism in the country.
The team members include Jacek Berbeka, Arthur Hajzer, Tommy Jawien, Przemyslaw Lozinski, Dr Robert Szymczak, Krzysztof Tarasewicz, Dariusz Zaluski, and two Pakistani high altitude Porters Hassan Sadpara and Ghulam Rasool.
On the occasion, Salman Javed, managing director, PTDC said that earlier the Ministry of Tourism has made 50 percent reduction in royalty fee on each peaks higher than 6000 meters to attract maximum number of mountaineers in the country and recently 5 percent more reduction has been made fee for the winter expeditions.
He highlighted that unlike Pakistan, expedition is being carried out round the year in Nepal and other mountainous countries and Pakistan should also follow it.
Colonel Manzoor of the Alpine Club of Pakistan said that due to some logistic problems winter climbing has not been carried out in the winter season and the government has recently took steps to make it possible in winter as well.